[Paperback 2/5] Lina and the ember that waited: The flame beneath the stone

Lina and the Ember That Waited is the second story in the illustrated fable series Tales of Niky—a quiet journey through nature, inner strength, and the light we carry even when unseen.

In a hidden volcanic glen known as the Cradle of Ash, Lina lives among steam vents, charred roots, and glowing stones. While others around her blaze with certainty, Lina’s flame is different: quiet, patient… waiting.

She feels out of place in a world of roaring fire. Her spark is soft, and her path unclear. But when a landslide covers the village’s central flame, and the night grows cold, Lina finds herself drawn underground—into the heart of the mountain where whispers echo and stones remember.

With only a dim glow and a spiral-carved shell to guide her, Lina begins to understand: some flames don’t burn to be seen. They burn to endure.

This is a story about:

* 🔥 Trusting your inner light, even when it feels small

* 🌋 Listening to your own rhythm instead of others’ pace

* 🌀 The spiral of deep potential and layered growth

Each spread includes:

* Calm, rhyming text (ABAB or AABB) that echoes like volcanic lullabies
* Detailed black-and-white pencil-style illustrations on the facing page

Plus interactive elements woven into the story world:

* 🧩 A mysterious riddle hidden in the ash lines

* ✍️ A creative drawing prompt: “Design Your Own Symbol”

* 💡 Gentle metaphor to support readers facing self-doubt or slow growth

Who is it for?

This book speaks to thoughtful teens, quiet creatives, and anyone who’s felt behind or overlooked. Lina’s story reminds readers that strength isn’t always loud—and light, even buried, can still warm the world.

The smallest flame can light the deepest dark.

Part of the Tales of Niky series:

Each book in this poetic fable collection follows a different character from the same interconnected world. Shared symbols, natural motifs, and layered themes connect the stories like paths through the same forest.

Book 1: Niky and the Leaf That Let Go – The Fall Before the Flight

Book 2: Lina and the Ember That Waited – The Flame Beneath the Stone

Book 3: Tamy and the Shell That Sang Alone – The Silence Beneath the Song

Book 4: Manu and the Path That Grew Backward – The Way That Found Itself

Book 5: The Spiral That Chose Itself

Written by Nora Etta

Published by Echo Tales Editions (www.EchoTalesEditions.com)

Let your ember glow. The mountain is listening.